Seaweed invasion heading towards Florida. Florida is currently facing an invasion of Sargassum seaweed, with blooms extending 5,000 miles across the Atlantic. The exact reason for the increase in blooms is not known, but an overabundance of nutrients is a common denominator. Nitrogen concentrations in Sargassum have increased by 35% in the last 4 decades, throwing off the balance.
Scientists attribute the cause to an overabundance of nutrients, with rivers like the Congo, Orinoco, and Mississippi being key contributors. Nitrogen concentrations in Sargassum have increased by 35%, and phosphorus has decreased by 44% over the last 4 decades, throwing off the balance. While climate change may be a factor, its impact is likely to be indirect. The takeaway is that nutrient pollution is a significant problem, and until it’s addressed, algae blooms will continue to thrive. TBT